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VALET Celebrates 5 Years "Do it!" That is what the president of one recent graduate of the Virginia Leaders in Export Trade ("VALET") Program remarked when asked what he would say to companies considering participating in the Program. "We’ve learned a great deal about what it takes to do business successfully internationally and developed a network to grow and diversify our business. This is truly a no-brainer. If you are serious about growing your international business, VALET will provide you with the resources and network to get you on the right path," said Martin Muscatello, President and CEO of Comprehensive Computer Solutions, VALET Class of January 2005. This year marks the five-year anniversary of the VALET Program. Launched in January 2002, the Program assists exporters in the Commonwealth that have firmly established domestic operations and who are committed to international exporting as an expansion strategy. The VALET Program provides capital, expert guidance and concrete solutions for businesses committed to expanding into international markets. The VALET Program incorporates services from VALET Program Partners, a team of experienced international professional service providers who assist the VALET companies with their international goals. Kim Weir, founding manager of the VALET program notes, "The evolution of the VALET Program over these past five years has been incredible. What began as a simple, and experimental, concept has developed into a dynamic community of internationally-oriented firms across Virginia. I truly credit the success of the program to the companies that have engaged in the collaborative framework that we have created. The Program Partners have been incredible resources for the Participants, and the Participants have been extraordinary resources to one another, while both groups have been generous in sharing feedback that has enabled the VEDP to continuously improve and enhance the Program’s offerings. With each new class the Program grows stronger, and I look forward to seeing where VALET will be in five more years." The three point network links the VEDP, private sector professional service firms and the Virginia companies together to accelerate their export strategies. The VEDP contributes $10,000 in expense reimbursements for export related expenditures to each participating company. Each private sector service firm is contracted to provide some pro bono and reduced fee services to the VALET companies. There are currently 46 alumni of the VALET Program and 27 companies participating in the Program. These 73 companies hail from 40 different localities through the Commonwealth. The industries represented by these companies illustrate the great business diversity found in Virginia as the VALET Program currently has as participants traditional manufactures such as Catalina Cylinders Cliff Impact, Old World Prints, Base-X, Inc., and Franklin Equipment; information technology companies such as i411, Inc. and Anystream, Inc.; and service and emerging technology companies such as MapTech, Inc., Bode Technology, and LifeNet. Companies are accepted into the Program twice a year via a competitive application process. During their two years in the VALET Program, companies complete a detailed Plan of Action focusing on three international markets and meet individually twice a year with the VALET Program Manager and Research Specialist. The individualized nature of the program allows companies to tailor the resources and expertise to the unique needs of their international business. "The VALET Program has helped our international sales to mature—we are so much further down the road now than when we started. The Program gave us the tools to succeed and helped us maintain the drive and focus that is necessary to be successful in the long term," said Duane Colwell, Director of Marketing, Trim-Dim Filter Corporation, VALET Class of January 2005. The companies also participate in two yearly educational and networking meetings. "A key feature of the program is the networking," said Greg Atkins, President and CEP of Catalytic Generators, Inc., VALET Class of January 2005. "We have been in international business for a long time but found that it was valuable to hear how we could do things differently and to evaluate where are operations are." If you are interested in learning more about the VALET Program, please contact Leslie Parpart, VALET Program Manager, lparpart@yesvirginia.org.